Expansive soils contain clay minerals that undergo a change in bulk volume in response to variances in environmental conditions. The ability to predict the occurrence and geotechnical behavior of swelling soils with a known degree of certitude would allow engineers to take measures to limit the damage resulting from these metastable soils. Research was conducted to investigate the regional distribution, mineralogy, and engineering properties of expansive soils in the Tucson Basin. Mineralogic studies employed X-ray diffraction procedures for the identification of clay mineralogy. The compilation of expansion-related soil parameters, from the geotechnical job-files of a local engineering consulting firm, allowed the development of an engineering database. The application of geostatistical analysis for the cartographical representation of mineralogic and geotechnical data permitted a regional characterization of expansive clay soils. Clay mineralogy was found to be directly related to the volumetric stability displayed by native soils, as well as the geology of the Tucson Basin.

Expansive soils contain clay minerals that undergo a change in bulk volume in response to variances in environmental conditions. The ability to predict the occurrence and geotechnical behavior of swelling soils with a known degree of certitude would allow engineers to take measures to limit the damage resulting from these metastable soils. Research was conducted to investigate the regional distribution, mineralogy, and engineering properties of expansive soils in the Tucson Basin. Mineralogic studies employed X-ray diffraction procedures for the identification of clay mineralogy. The compilation of expansion-related soil parameters, from the geotechnical job-files of a local engineering consulting firm, allowed the development of an engineering database. The application of geostatistical analysis for the cartographical representation of mineralogic and geotechnical data permitted a regional characterization of expansive clay soils. Clay mineralogy was found to be directly related to the volumetric stability displayed by native soils, as well as the geology of the Tucson Basin.

en_US

dc.type

text

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dc.type

Thesis-Reproduction (electronic)

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dc.subject

Soil surveys -- Arizona -- Tucson Basin.

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dc.subject

Clay soils -- Arizona -- Tucson Basin.

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dc.subject

Swelling soils -- Arizona -- Tucson Basin.

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dc.subject

Soil mechanics -- Arizona -- Tucson Basin.

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thesis.degree.name

M.S.

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thesis.degree.level

masters

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thesis.degree.discipline

Graduate College

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thesis.degree.discipline

Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics

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thesis.degree.grantor

University of Arizona

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dc.contributor.advisor

Nowatzki, Edward A.

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dc.identifier.proquest

1336672

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dc.identifier.oclc

22521508

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dc.identifier.bibrecord

.b23319094

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dc.identifier.bibrecord

.b17450809

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